Getting Started
Browsers
Canvas supports the last two versions of every browser release. See a full list of supported browsers.
Mobile
Most Canvas features are supported on mobile devices. Mobile apps are also available free for download on both smartphones and tablets.
Logging in
- Go to canvas.umich.edu. In the upper-right corner click Canvas. You can also click Dash in the lower-right corner. Dash will take you to all your online courses.
- Hover over Courses (it may say Courses & Groups) and select your course site.
Dashboard
The Dashboard includes information from all your courses, including upcoming activities and to do lists This is a quick way to launch directly into assignments, participate in discussions, or see recent feedback and grades.
Navigating
To open a course, hover over Courses & Groups and select a course site.
To open a Canvas tool (feature), click its link in the left-hand navigation.
Profile and Other Settings
Click Settings in the upper-right corner to see account options and tools.
You can customize your notification settings here and even set up SMS messaging for critical activities.
Tools & Tips
Assignments
To view instructor comments, click Assignments. Click the assignment name. (If the due date for the assignment passed, it will appear under Past Assignments.) In the sidebar "Submission" box, click Submission Details. If you submitted the assignment with a file upload, the file will appear as an attachment.
At the top of the sidebar, you can view the grade (if any). If your assignment was graded using a rubric, click Show Rubric to see what scores you received for each criterion.
Any instructor comments added to your submission, as well as any comments added by you, will appear in the "Comments" portion of the sidebar.
Chat
The Chat feature is for real-time communication with your instructor and/or classmates. Open a chat room to join a chat session.
Calendar
Your calendar shows all your courses and groups. To subscribe to the Canvas Calendar through your U-M Google account, locate and copy the calendar feed below your Canvas calendar list. In Google Calendar, choose Add by URL under Other Calendars and copy the feed URL.
Discussions
Both instructors and students can start and contribute to discussions in Canvas.
Files
The Files feature is where you can keep documents and media files that are either independent of course sites or course-related. The tool is similar to Resources in CTools.
Grades
To see grades, while you are in the course site, click Grades in the left-hand navigation. View the scoring details for an assignment by clicking the checkmark icon. If there are comments, click the bubble icon to view.
Groups
Groups are a great way to share files, conduct discussions, and even video conference between team members.
Pages
The Pages feature helps you collaborate with other students in a group. To add a page, click Pages in the left-hand navigation, click View All Pages, and click + Page
Quizzes
In addition to Quizzes from instructors, you can use this feature yourself to test your knowledge of the material in a course.
Rich Text Editor
Use the editor in assignments, discussions, etc., and for embedding video and math formulas.
Teaching Evaluations
Teaching evaluations follow the standard U-M process: students are automatically be sent email containing links to their online teaching evaluations.
In addition, you can link to teaching evals while you're in Canvas by clicking Accounts in the left-hand menu and then clicking Settings. You'll see the teaching evaluations link in the left-hand navigation.
Finally, your instructor may have added a link to teaching evaluations in the left-hand navigation of a course site.
Terminology
Several tools in Canvas are the same as those in CTools. This chart shows what they're called in Canvas.
|
In Canvas |
In CTools |
|---|---|
|
Discussions |
Forums |
|
Modules |
LessonBuilder |
|
Files |
Resources |
|
Settings |
Site Info |
|
Quizzes |
Test Center |
|
Course |
Course Site |
|
Features |
Tools |
|
Assignment Groups |
Gradebook Categories |
|
Redirect Tool |
Web Content Tool |
Learn More and Get Help
Course Content Questions?
For questions about course content, please contact your instructor.
Learn About Using all Canvas Tools
Click Help at the bottom of the left-hand navigation to search Canvas Guides.
ITS Service Center/4-HELP
Call 734-764-HELP (4357) or email [email protected].